Itinerary for Andalucia - feedback welcome

1. You, of course, will get all kinds of answers….. I did spend overnight in Cordoba a few years ago (and will do so again in March). But my reason is that it is the first stop after a long flight from the U.S. - not because I think it’s an essential overnight. In your situation, I would choose the 4 nights and 4 nights (and am doing that also!).
2. I enjoyed a day trip to Jerez last time - but I am a horse lover and the show would NOT be unique for you. The sherry tour was interesting though. This year I will consider a long day to Cadiz, wishing I had nights to spend there. But I will see how I feel on that when the time comes. And really, there’s plenty to do and see and eat and drink without day trips. Lol!
3. I don’t have a good list and need one. 🤣 In Granada (my favorite), I am planning on getting back to Bodegas Castañeda. Went once for tapas but let my daughter choose the other nights….she loved Bar los Diamontes (mainly fish), which was fine but not my favorite. It was full of Spaniards, though, both local and Spanish tourists.

I enjoyed Cordoba but do not consider it a must-see; especially as an overnight. I agree with TexasTravelmom and would stick with your plan for the 4 nights each in Seville and Granada (my favorite place). I also loved Ronda but not sure how easy it is by public transportation. It's a 2 1/2 hour ride by train minimum, so it might not be feasible.

In addition to Carmona from Seville, I enjoyed a day trip from Granada to Priego de Cordoba.

I agree with Nick about the Malaga bit. The roundtrip from Granada to Malaga is going to be over 4 hours by the time you include hotel-to-station time; in Granada both the bus and train stations are well outside the walkable center of town. Then you're going to turn around and go right back the same way to get to the airport on departure day. Although I don't like changing hotels, I've done it often for convenience before a flight so I don't have to stress about last-minute transportation issues. In this case you'd also have the opportunity for sightseeing in Malaga. I think it would probably be safe to remain flexible about your departure time from Granada until you've spent a day or so in the city. I don't think buses usually sell out early. (It might be worthwhile to ask your hotel about that.) If you still have key things you haven't seen in Granada, you could take a late bus to Malaga. Otherwise, you could head out in the morning.

I agree with Nick about Cordoba! It's a wonderful city with white-washed buildings, narrow lanes, patios and flower pots. It is magical at night after the daytrippers have left and the Mezquita is illuminated. We spent 2 nights in Cordoba, and I always wished we had a 3rd night. Seville, Granada, and Cordoba are all very, very different cities visually and architecturally. I also understand your desire not to move around too much. So if you visit Cordoba as a daytrip, I agree again with Nick about seeing other sites in addition to the Mezquita. We loved the Alcazar gardens, Roman Bridge, Palacio de Viana (with its 12 patios), and wandering around the Juderia.

And I agree with Nick and acraven about Malaga. It doesn't make sense to see it as a daytrip from Granada. It makes more sense to spend 3 nights in Granada and then spend your last night in Malaga. Plan to arrive in Malaga early enough so you have some time for sightseeing. Malaga is a great city and I think it doesn't get enough credit on this forum. We loved our stay there; spent 2 nights and wish we had a 3rd night.

Favorite restaurants:
Cordoba - Regadera, Mercado Victoria
Granada - El Trillo Restaurante
Sevilla - La Azotea in Barrio Santa Cruz. It was so good that we ate there twice.
Mercado Barranca - we like eating at markets!

I think your plan makes sense, but I'd suggest Cordoba as a stop between Sevilla and Granada, IF you can find a way to store your bags at or near the station. Take an early train to Cordoba, spend most of the day seeing the Mezquita and nearby, then a late afternoon train to Granada. Overnight in Cordoba would be better, and I'm glad I had two nights there, but your trip is short and hotel changes should be minimized.

I don't know Malaga but I agree that going there from Granada on the day of your flight would be risky. Maybe the flight is late in the day so you feel confident of making it. And, unlike the transatlantics most of us deal with, your investment of time and money is smaller if you should miss yours.

Hi, having just returned form a trip to Andalucia, I thought I would add my two cents here (though I am no expert on any of the places involved). I think you can (and perhaps should) spend a night in Cordoba, on your way from Seville to Granada. Otherwise, you will end up wasting time on back-and-forth travel, assuming that you will want to visit Cordoba. And if you are doing Seville-Cordoba-Granada in one day, you will need to deal with your luggage in Cordoba (there are lockers available at the bus station). Since you seem to indicate a desire to eat, drink and relax a lot, Cordoba is as good a place to do this as any of the others. I would take one night out of Granada to stay in Cordoba. By the way, all the places, especially Granada, are quite cold now (temperatures hardly rise to 8 degrees centigrade or so, that too after 11 AM) - so plan your dress and lazing-in-the-sun accordingly!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Our plan is now to spend the first 4 nights in Cordoba, then 3 nights in Granada and the last night in Malaga.

Logic is that we already know Sevilla and will just visit from Cordoba as a day trip. We will stay put in Granada. Our flight out of Malaga isn't until 6 pm, so we will have time to explore and look at the sea.

I've already researched food options and bought tickets for the Alhambra and Mezquita. Ready for some sun.

We are working on an itinerary for the same area later this spring. We also want to include Gibraltar. Can't decide how long to spend in each city and don't like moving every night, but that may be the only way for us. We are just a couple and we are driving everywhere. Seeing the White Cities is also on our wishlist! Good luck!